iFixit - Answers With Device "Kenmore Refrigerator"

Kenmore Refrigerator: Probe down freezer drain hole stops cold at 3 inches, for 1979 fridge

Sat, 22 Aug 2026 16:26:44 -0700

My freezer drain tube seems to be only 3 inches long. even after two bouts of hot water and 6 hours of thawing.

Less than 2 years ago I defrosted my Harvest Gold Sears Kenmore freezer-on-top for the first time, after 41 years. It had lots of ice on the coils. Only 18 months later it's dripping again into the fridge, but this time I removed the freezer floor and back and there wasn't much ice, and I've been running it this way and I can see the ice build up and then get melted. When I pour water down the drain, it goes, but i'm not convinced it's fixed because I did all this and it seemed fine 2 years ago.

So I ran a long thin spring down the drain hole and it stops cold after only 3 inches. Poured more hot water, waited 6 hours for ice if any to melt, and still, 3 inches. Shouldn't it go about 3 feet, or do I need to take the back off, or the plastic cover in the fridge section?

My fridge was first sold in 1979 and I've had this house since 1983. I've replaced the evaporator fan and maybe some other small parts. I'm 79 and I'd like it to keep it running until I have to go to a nursing home, LOL. A matter of pride and of money.

The model number is 106.8607761 I looked but can't find the original owners manual that the first owner of the house saved for me. If I could find it, would it be of any help here?

⟐ Commented August 22, 2026 at 16:26 MST

Kenmore Refrigerator: Is there insulation that can swell and keep fridge door from closing?

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 18:04:41 -0700

First, thank you for your help about the automatic defroster. I had doubts but now I know it is working fine and the drain is fine too.

I have read somewhere that in some models there is foam insulation in the bottom that can swell when it gets wet, and does not un-swell later, and that it can keep the door from shutting all the way. Is this possible? If so, is it not possible to get underneath and cut out a little bit of the insulation with a knife?

Background: I have a freezer-on-top model built in 1979 which has worked fine all these years (replaced a fan once and maybe another small part) . Now water is falling from the bottom of the freezer, so much that it sometimes wets the floor. The fridge door remains open an eighth of an inch. When I push on the bottom of the door, it closes and so does the top, but when I push on the top, it closes but the bottom does not.

I've run a straight-edge along the fridge just below the food area, and it does seem to bulge out a tiny bit in the middle. Of course the effect is double by time the door gets to side that opens. I've thought about putting a 2x4 there and pounding the bulge back with a hammer, but I'm afraid I'll bend and then break a cooling coil , instead of just crushing the expanded foam (which I gather would still have uncompressible water filling what had been air spaces????)

Is hitting the area with a hammer risky? It's the quickest most direct idea. Getting under the fridge to cut out insulation with a knife seems very difficult given how crowded it is there. Tipping the fridge on its back or side might work but the kitchen is small and I'm 79 and would have to find a helper.

Is anything I've said here true? Is there insulation that bulges? Can it be partly removed? Is hitting it with a hammer likely to break the fridge before it gets rid of the bulge? LOL

I've thought about replacing the whole door gasket but I'm not sure a new one would stick out farther than the current one, and it's a lot of work, and if the problem is a bulge, that problem should be addressed directly if possible, instead of a work-around.

⟐ Answer edited August 20, 2026 at 18:04 MST

Kenmore Refrigerator: Freezer fan motor stops working

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 07:29:32 -0700

Kenmore 111.730 refrigerator. I've had to replace the freezer fan motor over 10 times in two years.never a frost issue, the motor just fails. I practically have the crappy motor on a subscription through Amazon. I test each motor once removed and it simply stopped working, the technical portion of the motor is potted so I can troubleshoot the motor itself. Any ideas appreciated. I've spent nearly $250 replacing these darn motors.

⟐ Commented August 18, 2026 at 7:29 MST

Kenmore Refrigerator: No water comes into my icemaker.

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 01:51:59 -0700

I can hear the icemaker "filling" sound, but no water comes through. I took a hair dryer and warmed the plastic tube where the water comes from and removed a cylinder of ice. Thought this would fix it. Nope. I have since put the arm in up position, and haven't had ice for a week. Thanks for any answers.

⟐ Edited August 15, 2026 at 1:51 MST

Kenmore Refrigerator: My Kenmore elite model# 10651183112 not cooling

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 00:34:41 -0700

My refrigerator and freezer is not cooling down to temperature. Seems like the temperature in the refrigerator stays just under 60 and the freezer is not freezing. It seems like it will run for a few minutes and then stop then it will run again

⟐ Answered July 19, 2026 at 0:34 MST

Kenmore Refrigerator: How to replace bulb in freezer

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 01:16:31 -0700

How to replace light bulb in freezer

⟐ Answered June 10, 2026 at 1:16 MST

Kenmore Refrigerator: Does my refrigerator 79571302012 have a defrost timer?

Mon, 18 May 2026 10:26:15 -0700

Does my Kenmore refrigerator 79571302012 have a defrost timer? The freezer is icing up

⟐ Commented May 18, 2026 at 10:26 MST

Kenmore Refrigerator: Kenmore Elite 795.72022.110 not cooling

Fri, 08 May 2026 20:26:30 -0700

I've cleaned coils, it has the linear lg compressor. I checked resistance and looks good, I'm thinking my control board is bad but not certain. When I press the test button I hear the beeps, the fans run the displays light up on front panel, the second press I hear the double beeps, led does not blink at all. I removed the connector at bottom of panel, con 201 and connected my meter after restarting and pressing test button it doesn't get over 80vac. One video I viewed on youtube a guy said I should see 200vac and his test he wasn't seeing over 110-112vac. Could my board be bad? We had a power outage a few days ago and it wasn't long after that we noticed water leaking from under the fridge.

⟐ Commented May 08, 2026 at 20:26 MST

Kenmore Refrigerator: Kenmore refrigerator weak cooling no error code

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:07:02 -0700

Hi, I have a Kenmore refrigerator model# 795.71303.012. It started intermittently causing a minor soft ice cream issue in the bottom freezer compartment. Now it will not maintain the required 0°F temps anymore. So I put Taylor refrigerator thermometers (1 each) in both the upper and lower compartments. The upper refrigerator section will not go below 40°F even if I set it to the lowest temp setting which is 33°F. The lower freezer section will not go below 28°F even when setting it to the lowest setting which is -6°F.

I have cleaned the condenser section which was quite dirty but not completely clogged. I carefully vacuumed and cleaned stuck on films from the fan blade & condenser coils. The refrigerant suction temp is cool going into the compressor and very warm descarging out of the compressor. I see no components that seem to have any issues running and activating, etc.

I have not pulled interior panels yet since I hear the evaporator fan running and feel the airflow coming from the top center vent opening at rear of the freezer section.

I found the tech info sheet below the front underside of the unit and tried the panel display test and the push button PCB test as instructed there. Both test showed no error codes.

As far as I can tell, it has been running continually since the problem became consistant. There does seem to bee a high frequency sound I believe coming from the compressor, but not overly alarming in volume level.

I am an HVAC technician with extensive background knowledge but need help with someone who can help me complete this diagnosis and repair it myself.

Please advise with my sincere respect and appreciation, Randall

Kenmore Refrigerator: Repairing Wires in Left Door Hinge

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:10:17 -0700

I have a Kenmore 795.71013.011 armoire style refrigerator. The display board stopped working some time ago. It didn't affect us so I let it go. Recently, the temperature in the refrigerator has been closer to freezing, so I needed to look into it.

I have determined that the display board still works. I found this when I was attempting to remove the display board/panel and was putting upward pressure on the tabs trying to unseat them. As I was essentially lifting the entire door (left) slightly while doing so, I noticed that the display panel lit up. Once I removed the tension, it went blank again. So, I lifted the entire door by 1/2" or so, and the panel lit up again, and once I let it back down, it went blank.

So, I took the top left hinge cover off and can see the wires and the braided water line go through the left hand edge/hinge area of the door. It is very tight in the small hole that has the water line and a taped set of wires going down through it.

I suspect that the wires for the display panel are being pinched and are likely somewhat frayed from the constant motion of the door swinging, but I cannot determine who to get into the door itself to track the wires and see where the issue might be.

I can pull up slightly on the wiring that goes through the hole, but the wires are all taped together at that point. So, either the issue is under the tape, or below that point. That is the area I am trying to get into.

Any thoughts on how to disassemble the left door enough that I can get in to see the wires and they travel down the left spine of the door?

Thanks!

Kenmore Refrigerator: My compressor went out in Kenmore Elite.

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 03:12:51 -0700

2015 Kenmore Elite Model 795.72483.410. I had a repair person out and they said the compressor needs to be replaced and that is the cause of my refrigerator and freezer not cooling. They said $600 part and $200 labor. We didn’t have him fix it and then read that my compressor has a 10 year warranty. I called Sears and they said it’s under warranty but they have to send a diagnostic tech out to diagnose for $99. They said the $99 will go toward labor if I have the repair done. I am wondering what kind of labor cost I am looking at. Can they not just take at face value what my original repair person said about it being the compressor and then come out to do the repair? I read there is another class action law suit brewing for LG compressors inside Kenmore refrigerators but it’s still in the works.

⟐ Commented April 07, 2026 at 3:12 MST

Kenmore Refrigerator: ice dispensor door hinge piviot broken

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 07:26:53 -0700

model 106.56186500 the ice door hinge pivots on brackets built into the "base " for lake of a better term .. and i can not find one to replace it .. i need item number one on this diagram .. or a part number to start searching on ebay for it

⟐ Commented January 31, 2026 at 7:26 MST

Kenmore Refrigerator: broken freezer basket runner guide

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 08:40:29 -0700

Where can I get this small part?

⟐ Answered January 22, 2026 at 8:40 MST

Kenmore Refrigerator: Why is the selector on door of refeer not working

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 17:37:45 -0700

the lights "Water-cubed ice-crushed ice" of refridgerator

door not working.

⟐ Commented December 21, 2025 at 17:37 MST

Kenmore Refrigerator: Kenmore Elite Ice maker emmiter board has no power

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 22:41:35 -0700

2007ish Kenmore Elite SXS fridge/freezer model 106.57783703.

I do not have any voltage on the emmiter plug. No led lights, no blinks, nothing. I have replaced ice maker, oem emitter boards, main control board, freezer door switch. I think I might have a broken power wire but I do not have a wiring diagram to chase it down. Does anyone have a wiring diagram or any suggestions? The black wire on the emmiter plug is suppose to be 120 volts constant and I dont have any.

Thanks

⟐ Commented December 09, 2025 at 22:41 MST

795.72053.117: Why small amount of water muddle down on floor by freeze coming slowly

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 18:22:43 -0700

Small puddle of water of floor under door with freezer ice water and reset in door

Kenmore Refrigerator: New fridge water filter not working

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 14:09:00 -0700

It was time to replace the water filter (4396841 EDR3RXD1) Tried 3 different generic and finally an OEM. None of them work. Tried pre filling them. Nothing. Put the old filter in and it works great. We have compared the old and new but can't find any difference. Help please

⟐ Commented October 31, 2025 at 14:09 MST

Kenmore Refrigerator: Why is my Kenmore Elite Refrigerator running 20 degrees warm?

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 10:59:28 -0700

Kenmore Elite: 74025. Ran great for 6 years in confined space, but recently noticed slightly warmer drinks. I decreased the temperature setting. Then I noticed slightly softer frozen goods, but saw a bag of ice I had was fine. Chalked it up to weather, but made better airway in freezer. I took it out of cabinets to let it breathe awhile, cleaned around it, used a data-vac to blow out all the dust. No go.

This thing is really quiet so it’s hard to tell if fan is going, but I’m pretty sure there is no significant fan working in the freezer. My next step will be to take it apart when I get time and clean while it’s open, but my main question, maybe someone’s familiar….is there a central fan for the top and bottom? Or any fail items on this model or similar LG that would cause these symptoms?

Used a temp gun to get current readings.

Freezer Setting: 0F

Reading: 24F

Fridge Setting: 33F

Reading: 53F

If someone is familiar with the unit, I’d really appreciate some help!

⟐ Answered October 24, 2025 at 10:59 MST

Kenmore Refrigerator: Kenmore SBSide 795 Fridge - I power off every 3 days to fix freezer

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 14:04:14 -0700

I have a Kenmore side by side i think it's model795 66 1/2L - 32 1/2W(papers inside were taken off i am unsure but if someone knows how to figure out model let me know).

Freezer temp starts to drop down after a 72 hour restart. After that it remains pretty cold but not enough to freeze. So i restart, and in a couple of hours it works like new and start to get the bucket of ice maker in the door filled fast.

What could be the reason? Everything else works fine

As a last resort I feel like i can buy a power plug that cycles restarts it every 3 days but that will probably hurt the fridge so i would use it until it dies.

Should i just use it this way until it dies? Or should i bring a tech to see if it's worth the fix?

⟐ Edited November 14, 2025 at 14:04 MST

Kenmore Refrigerator: Door bottom support broken

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 14:44:49 -0700

Refrigerator door is misaligned. Too low, scrapes the bottom of inside of frig as you try to close. Tried a taller leveling screw but bottom of frig door just collapses and door will not get back to original location. Is the bottom of the door that supports the leveling screw replaceable or fixable. Thx

⟐ Answer edited February 11, 2026 at 14:44 MST